NLEX readying for ISO 39001 certification

NLEX upgrading facilities and training staff

Motorists traveling to and from the north of Metro Manila may have noticed some improvements to the facilities of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). According to NLEX Corporation, these improvements are made to achieve a Road Traffic Safety Management System (RTSMS) rating or ISO 39001 certification.

“Road safety counts as one of the customer value propositions we offer to motorists, that is why we take all our safety programs to heart,” said NLEX Corporation president and GM, Luigi Bautista, highlighting that “establishing and upholding the RTSMS will help the organization improve its road safety performance.”

Anchored on the three Es of safety — Engineering, Enforcement, and Education — the programs being undertaken include the continuous maintenance and upgrade of NLEX-SCTEX assets and facilities; implementation of traffic laws; conduct of lectures and distribution of materials on safe driving practices, and series of roadshows in rest and refuel areas along the expressway to remind motorists to do their share in keeping the roads safe.

For example, to ensure adherence to high standards of road safety, impact attenuators in Balintawak and Bocaue toll plazas were upgraded to mitigate damage to fixed structures, vehicles, and people arising from vehicular collisions. Median guardrails were also installed at the SCTEX, while additional warning signs were placed in Meycauayan, Mindanao, Tabang, Dolores, Concepcion, and Tarlac.

Safety inspections are also regularly being done to make sure that the roads, signs, and other expressway features are in good condition. Striving to provide a safe and secure road for all, the tollway company firmly enforces traffic laws related to seat belt use, speeding, and overloading, among others. It has been using the speed monitoring system, automatic license plate recognition, and weigh-in-motion devices to advance operational efficiency and aid in traffic law enforcement.

Aside from educating motorists, employees are also being taught to be responsible drivers through webinars, training, and programs on appropriate driving behavior, inspiring them to be advocates of road safety.

NLEX also has other road safety campaigns which include the “Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko” motorist assistance program which is conducted during peak travel seasons; the Usapang Driver forum for bus and truck drivers; and Kaligtasan sa Daan or KalSaDa education program for host communities.

We just hope that NLEX also works on resolving the various issues that still plague their RFID scanning and loading – which often result in long queues in toll booths.